Indiana Senate President Pro Tempore David Long (R-Fort Wayne) today appointed State Sen. Joe Zakas (R-Granger) as chairman of the newly created Senate Committee on Civil Law for the 118th General Assembly.

State Sen. Joe Zakas (R-Granger) welcomed local Girl Scout members who served as Senate pages last month at the Statehouse in celebration of the organization’s 100th anniversary:

• Audrey Carr, daughter of Elkhart resident Tammie Carr. She attends St. Thomas the Apostle School. • Elizabeth Knight, daughter of Elkhart residents Robert and Nicole Knight. She is a sixth-grade student at St. Thomas the Apostle School. • Veronica Lidy, daughter of Elkhart residents Steven and Joanna Lidy. She is a sixth-grade student at St. Thomas the Apostle School. • Anna Marshall, daughter of Elkhart residents Chuck and Christy Marshall. She is a sixth-grade student at St. Thomas the Apostle School. • Mia Replogle, daughter of Elkhart residents Laura and Jerry Replongle. She is a sixth-grade student at St. Thomas the Apostle School.

A proposal co-authored by State Sen. Joe Zakas (R-Granger) banning marijuana-like substances in Indiana and creating stiff penalties for using and selling the products will be considered by a Senate committee on Tuesday.